Teacher guide reSolve: Algebra - Equivalence

TLF ID M025298

This sequence of two lessons builds students' understanding of equivalence as balance. The equals sign is used to indicate the same value on both sides of an equation. Students develop their understanding of equivalence by looking at balancing scales with blocks of different weights. Each lesson is outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, materials needed, sample answers, discussion points and student resources. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Maths by Inquiry program.





Educational details

Educational value
  • This resource is valuable for the year 2 mathematics content descriptions about identifying missing elements in patterns and solving probelms by using number sentences. Students identify missing numerical elements in equivalence statements and solve problems using number sentences derived from modelling different combinations of weights on a balance scale.
  • The resource is also valuable for the year 2 content description about comparing masses of objects using balance scales. Students use pictures of shapes on balance scales to investigate equivalence statements and decide whether pictures of different combinations of blocks will balance.
  • The resource is of significant value for supporting the Numeracy general capability. The lesson provides multiple opportunities for students to identify, describe and create everyday patterns and to understand and use numbers in the context of balancing and equivalence.
  • This resource is also of pedagogical value as it supports teachers in building an inquiry-focused learning environment with authentic application of mathematical skills and understandings. The unit aims to develop content knowledge as well as assisting students to understand the process of inquiry.
Year level

2

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: Australian Government Department of Education and Training
  • Organization: Australian Government Department of Education and Training
  • Publisher
  • Name: Australian Academy of Science
  • Organization: Australian Academy of Science
  • Description: Publisher
  • URL: https://www.science.org.au/
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Unknown
Learning Resource Type
  • Online
Rights
  • © Australian Government Department of Education and Training 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, this material may be used in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.